Ruth's Chris Steak House

I've only eaten at Ruth's Chris Steak House once in my life, about a week before I moved to Japan. I loved it. It was expensive as hell, but the food was some of the best food I have ever eaten. When I visit Orlando, hopefully sometime later this year, I plan to stop in for a visit.

My brother Alex works at the Ruth's Chris in Winter Park. Scott Joseph, the Orlando Sentinel food critic, recently published an email he received about that store. It reads:

"The guys, however, had a distinctly different experience: a young, aggressive server giving the impression that some items "were on him" for the celebration (he really milked that birthday aspect). The kicker was the $154.30 stuffed lobster -- $125.35 for the lobster plus a $28.95 crab-cake entree to stuff it with. Now, mind you, the boys had already each ordered appetizers (plus they 'Just had to try the crab cakes with bleu cheese'-- extra charge for cheese), salads and entrees -- but then 'Let me bring you a lobster, it's such a special occasion.' . . ."

So I have to ask the question, Alex, is he talking about you?

As for the email and diners having buyer's remorse, a restaurant doesn't want their customers walking away feeling like they've been ripped off, but you have to balance that with the fact that Ruth's Chris is one of the most expensive restaurants in the universe. You should go in expecting to be gouged. Enjoy every minute of it!